Extension device providing security function

Abstract

An extension device has such a configuration as to be mounted in an extension bay of an information processing device, and includes an identification-information-acquisition unit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an extension device providing a security function or an identification-information-acquisition function for an information processing device or an electronic device.[0003]As a result of recent development of open network technologies in this information age, more investments than ever are made in information infrastructures, resulting in widespread use of networks and the Internet. Against this background, mobile information processing devices such as notebook personal computers, laptop personal computers, and mobile terminals are used in many different settings, and so are installed-type information processing devices such as desktop personal computers. In such an environment, an importance for security is heightened in order to prevent private information stored in the device from being exposed to unauthorized users.[0004]In prior art, owners or authorized users of information processi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The extension device described above is mounted in the extension bay of the information processing device such that the extension device can be carried with the information processing device as an integral part of the information processing device. If the extension device is so configured as not to stick out from the information processing device, portability is further improved. This configuration is particularly advantageous if the information processing device is of a portable type. Further, in the case where the extension bay of the information processing device is configured to store therein any one of a plurality of different types of extension devices, the identification-information-acquisition unit mounted in the extension bay is freely exchangeable with other extension devices, thereby helping to achieve compactness and expandability of the information processing device. As the identification-information-acquisition unit, various types of units can be employed, such units including a fingerprint-detection (fingerprint-input) unit, a voice (voice-pattern) input unit, a retinal-pattern-input unit, a handwriting-input unit (such as a pen-input device or a touch pad), and a facial-image / feature input unit (such as a CCD camera acquiring an image of a user face), all of which utilize biological information as identification information. Further, the identification-information-acquisition unit may be a key-input unit which allows an individual ID, a personal-identification-number code, or a password to be entered through typing of keys. Further, a unit may be provided for the purpose of reading an ID card such as a magnetic card or an IC card. The present invention is not limited to use of a particular type of identification information.

[0091]When mounted in the extension bay of the information processing device, the device as described above can be carried together with the information processing device as an integral part thereof, and does not stick out from the information processing device, thereby providing better portability. This configuration is particularly advantageous when the information processing device is of a portable type. Further, since the PIN-code-input unit is provided on the side panel that is exposed when the extension device is mounted in the extension bay, it is easy to access the PIN-code-input unit, providing ease of use of the extension device.

Problems solved by technology

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